Headset communication unit

ABSTRACT

Communication unit comprising a housing in which at least one transducer is placed, and on which a microphone arm is suspended. The housing also has means, such as an ear hook, for fastening the communication unit to the head of a user. The microphone arm is pivotally connected to the housing by a hinge link, and at an outer area of the housing, so that the microphone arm can be moved between a first position in which it lies up against the housing, and a second position in which it extends away from the housing. The microphone arm has a length, which in the main is less than or of the same order as the greatest extent of the housing, so that in the folded-in state the microphone arm does not project out over the circumference of the housing. The communication unit can be used on both the right and the left side of the head, in that the ear hook ( 6 ) can be suspended in two different positions, corresponding to the communication unit being worn on the right or the left ear, respectively.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/813103,filed 3/19/2001. The application is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention concerns a headset communication unit which comprises ahousing in which at least one transducer is placed, and on which amicrophone arm is suspended, said housing also having means for securingthe communication unit to the head of a user. In the preferredconstruction, the headset is intended to be in wireless connection withsome kind of other base unit, such as a cell phone, and communicationswould preferably follow the “Bluetooth” protocol. Of course, a personskilled in the art could modify the structure shown to make a wireconnection with a base unit.

Such a communication unit is most often used in connection withtelephony, where a telephone user who talks over the telephone oftenand/or engages in long telephone conversations, can use such a unit inthe form of a headset or an earset without having to hold a handset.However, other uses also exist, such as in connection with mobiletelephones and similar communication equipment.

Examples of known headsets or earsets are described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,787,166 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,812 A. Thesepublications disclose both configurations, which are provided with arelatively long microphone arm, which means that both of theseconstructions are relatively space demanding when they are not beingused. It is true that the microphone arm on the headset in thelast-mentioned publication can be turned upwards, so that it liesparallel with the housing and the head-piece, and whereby at the sametime a switch function is activated, but still this known headset willbe of considerable dimensions. It will thus not be expedient for usersto transport these known headsets around with them when the headsets arenot in use, the reason being that they cannot be placed in a pocket, abag or the like without great difficulty.

A further earset is also known from DE 299 08 529 U, where the earset isconfigured as a round capsule with an ear hook and a relatively longmicrophone boom, this boom being configured in a flexible material. Thismicrophone boom is wound up inside the capsule, from which it can bedrawn out when it is to be used. Due to the flexible nature of themicrophone boom, a precise positioning of the microphone and herewith anoptimum sound reception can hardly be expected and, moreover, themicrophone boom will easily be susceptible to physical influences.

Finally, a communication unit of the kind disclosed in the preamble isknown from DE 298 08 425 U, which describes a wireless earset. Thisknown earset has a housing in the form of an ear shell which at itsuppermost part has a projecting antenna, and which at its lower part hasa microphone arm. This microphone arm consists of two link stays, whichare hinged to each other. The one link stay supports a microphone at itsfree end, while the other link stay is secured to the housing in apivotal and displaceable manner. When the earset is not in use, themicrophone arm can be inserted into a guide in the housing, in that thetwo link stays are first folded together by a turning of the one linkstay, so that the two link stays lie over each other, after which theyare turned so that they lie in line with the guide, after which the linkstays can finally be pushed into the guide in the housing.

What this known microphone arm thus involves is that it consists of arelatively complicated and herewith also a vulnerable mechanism, whichcomprises two hinge links and a linear guiding movement and herewithsubsequent risk of damage during use. Moreover, the users of this knownearset must make themselves familiar with a relatively complex procedurefor taking the earset into use and its adjustment, in that themicrophone arm must first be slid out of the guideway groove, afterwhich the two link stays must be folded out, and finally after which asuitable position of use must be set by adjustment of the two hinges,i.e. partly the hinge between the two link stays and partly the hingebetween the second link stay and the housing.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a communication unitwhich, when it is not in use, only occupies very little space, which iseasy to use, also for a user who is not familiar with the communicationunit, and which is of a robust and operationally reliable construction.

This is achieved in that the communication unit disclosed in thepreamble is configured such as disclosed and characterised in claim 1,in that the microphone arm is connected by a hinge link in a pivotalmanner to and at an outer area of the housing, so that the microphonearm can be moved between a first position in which it lies up againstthe housing, and a second position in which it extends away from thehousing, and that the microphone arm is of a length which issubstantially less than or of the same order as the largest extent ofthe housing.

It is hereby achieved that in the first position, the microphone armwill not project outside the extent of the housing, but will lie upagainst and coincide with this, so that in its unused state thecommunication unit will not occupy a particularly great deal of spaceand, furthermore, it can easily be kept for example in a drawer, in abag, in a pocket or other similar places. Moreover, with the disclosedconfiguration a relatively simple and robust hinging of the microphonearm to the housing is achieved, since what is involved is merely asingle hinge link, so that the microphone arm can be folded out to theposition of use in a simple manner.

With the embodiment as disclosed, use is made of a particularlyexpedient hinging of the microphone arm to the housing, in that themicrophone arm hereby moves in a plane which stands substantially atright-angles to or at an obtuse angle in relation to a side plane forthe housing. The hinging can hereby be configured as a particularlyrobust construction. For example, it can be configured as disclosed, bywhich embodiment it is achieved that the movement of the microphone armis guided in an especially good manner, and that the hinging will beresistant to influences arising externally, such as shock, impact,jolting and the like.

As disclosed, it can be expedient for a switch arrangement to beassociated with the movement of the microphone arm, which can be used,for example, for coupling the communication unit electrically when themicrophone arm is folded out, and conversely for switching off thecommunication unit when the microphone arm is folded in against thehousing. This will be an advantage especially when the communicationunit functions in a wireless manner, in that here it is especiallynecessary to prevent unnecessary current consumption, which can beachieved precisely with the disclosed configuration, where the currentconsumption will be cut off when the microphone arm is folded in, e.g.when it is taken off the user's head. It will thus not be necessary forthe user to have to remember to switch off the communication unit byoperating a separate switch button.

With a particularly expedient embodiment, such as disclosed, a lock-orsafety-arrangement can be associated with the microphone arm. It canhereby be ensured that the microphone arm will not unintentionally bemoved away from the folded-together state, e.g. while it is being keptin a pocket, a bag, the glove compartment of a car or similar places ofstorage, which could otherwise have the effect that it will consumecurrent, which as mentioned is a disadvantage, especially in connectionwith wireless configurations. The release arrangement can consist of apurely mechanical device which secures the microphone arm, and whichwhen activated results in the fact that the microphone arm can be foldedout. At the same time herewith, the microphone arm can thus activate aswitch arrangement as mentioned above. However, the release arrangementcan also consist of a mechanical device, which at the same time iscoupled to a changeover switch or contact, so that an activation of therelease arrangement not only releases the microphone arm but alsocouples the electrical circuits. Finally, the lock- or safetyarrangement can consist of a bi-stable construction of the microphonearm and its suspension, so that the microphone arm, e.g. against aspring pressure, must be forced or moved away from the two stablepositions, for example the fully folded-in and the fully folded-outposition. It is not until the passage of an unstable point that themovement of the microphone arm becomes easier or possibly completelyinfluenced, e.g. by a spring force, towards the second of the two stablepositions. In this way it is similarly ensured that the microphone armis not unintentionally moved away from the in-active state.

As characterised in the claims, the communication unit can contain amicrophone which can be placed either in the housing or in themicrophone arm, in which latter case the electrical connections to amicrophone built into the microphone arm can expediently be effected viathe hinge link, in that parts of the hinge can possibly constitute orsupport electrical connections.

Furthermore, the communication unit can expediently be configured asdisclosed, whereby in connection with a wireless embodiment an antennais established in association with the housing or in association withthe microphone arm, so that it is avoided that a fixed antenna willproject outside the extent of the housing when the communication unit isnot in use. As disclosed, the antenna can expediently consist of acoating on a surface in or on the housing or the microphone arm, forexample on a side of the microphone arm, whereby a suitable antenna canbe established in a relatively simple manner.

As disclosed, the electrical connection to the antenna can be effectedvia the hinge link, for example by means of an electrically conductivecoating on the hinge parts which abut up against each other or lieagainst each other in the position of use.

Moreover, means for the securing of the communication unit, such asdisclosed, can consist of an ear hook, an ear ring or the like, which isconnected to the housing in such a way that it can be turned out fromthe housing, so that the ear hook or ear ring can easily grip aroundbehind the ear when the communication unit is placed against the outerear. When not in the position of use, the ear hook or the ear ring canalso be turned in towards the housing where it can be disposed in acut-out or recess, so that neither the ear hook nor the ear ring willproject substantially outside the extent of the housing in the unusedstate. Thus, neither the means for securing the communication unit onthe head of the user will constitute any hindrance to an easy storing ofthe communication unit in, for example, a pocket, a bag or similarplaces when it is not in use.

Finally, the communication unit can be configured as disclosed, so thatthere is free choice whether the communication unit is to be worn on theright or on the left ear, in that the user can carry out a changeover tothe position in which the communication unit is desired to be worn in arelatively simple manner.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail withreference to the drawings, where

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention seen in perspective,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of a second embodiment of theinvention on a smaller scale,

FIG. 3 shows an assembled version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, butsimilarly in perspective,

FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment seen from the rear,

FIG. 5 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 seen from the side,

FIG. 6 shows the same embodiment seen from above.

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 3 except in an alternate embodiment

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the subject matter in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the subject matter in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view like FIG. 7 except that the microphoneboom and earhook are in their closed/stowed position,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view like FIG. 8, but with a further embodiment

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the subject matter of FIG. 11

FIG. 13 is a close up perspective view with portion removed and brokenaway of the hinge shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a top partial perspective view, of the earhook in FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a close up partial perspective view, of the earhook in FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view, with portions removed, of the subjectmatter in FIG. 12,

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the earhook from FIG. 12,

FIG. 18 is a perspective view, with portions removed, of the insidebottom portion of the microphone boom of FIG. 12,

FIG. 19 is a perspective view, with portions removed of the boom in FIG.12,

FIG. 20 is a perspective view life FIG. 19, except taken from the otherside,

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the subject matter in FIGS.18–20,

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an anchoring pin for the lanyard.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the mounting plate for the lanyardanchoring pin,

FIG. 24 is a close up perspective view of the hinge and earhook of FIG.2,

FIG. 25 is a close up perspective view of the hinge in FIG. 24, with theboom and earhook removed,

FIG. 26 is a close up view of the detent/detector for the boom, in oneembodiment, and

FIG. 27 is a close up perspective view with portions removed of thedetent/detector for the boom, in another embodiment.

An embodiment of a communication unit according to the invention isshown in perspective and in its state of use in FIG. 1, and as will beseen the unit consists of a housing, which is indicated in general bythe reference FIG. 1. This housing is configured as a flat capsule withslightly convex side surfaces, i.e. an inner side surface 1 a and anouter side surface 1 b, and with an annular edge surface 1 c, which issimilarly slightly convex. The extent of the side surfaces of thehousing is of the same order as or less than an ear, so that the housingcan easily be worn by a user without any inconvenience.

A microphone tongue or microphone arm 2, as it is also called in thefollowing, is extending out from the housing, and this microphone arm issecured to the housing by means of two hinge pins 3 and 4 which areintegrated parts of the housing 1, and which extend from the sidesurface 1 a in the vicinity of the edge surface 1 c or in the interfacearea between these two surfaces. Between the two hinge pins 3 and 4 ahinge part 5 of the microphone arm 2 is disposed, so that the microphonearm can be turned approx. 180° in towards the housing 1. As shown, themicrophone arm 2 has openings 7, so that a transducer such as amicrophone, a sound tube or the like in the microphone arm 2 can receiveaudio signals. When the transducer placed in the microphone arm is asound tube, and which carries the audio signals further, these signalscan possibly be fed further to a transducer such as a microphone, whichis placed in the housing 1. As shown, the openings 7 are preferablyconfigured in that side of the microphone arm 2 which faces away fromthe face of the user when in the position of use, whereby a suitablyhigh accessibility is achieved for the audio signals to the transducerin the microphone arm 2.

Moreover, an ear hook 6 is secured to the housing 1, in that this earhook can be secured to the housing in a pivotal manner by means of thehinge pin 4. The ear hook can thus be turned at an angle out from theside surface 1 a, so that the communication unit can be placed on theear of a user. Finally, it will be seen in FIG. 1 that in the sidesurface 1 a openings 8 (8 a in FIG. 7, and 9 in FIG. 9) are provided,which stand in connection with a transducer or loudspeaker in thehousing 1.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a communication unit according to theinvention on a slightly smaller scale and of a slightly changedembodiment. As will be seen, the housing is made up of two shells, i.e.an outer shell 11 and an inner shell 12. Between these two shells anintermediate plate 13 is placed, which can support electrical circuitsand components. A transducer 14 is placed between this plate 13 and theinner shell 12, and a battery 15 is placed on the other side of theintermediate plate 13. Components other than those shown or describedcan naturally be placed in the same manner on or between the shells andthe intermediate plate. Similarly, in or on the housing 1 an antenna(not shown) can be placed for use in the wireless transmission ofsignals to or from the communication unit. This antenna can be placed ona print board in the housing 1 or can be configured as an electricallyconductive coating on another part of the housing, for example on theinner side or the outer side of the outer shell 11 or the inner shell12.

The battery 15 can be one of several different battery types. However,this will mainly involve primary cells or batteries built up of primarycells, which will thus have to be replaced, or use can be made ofsecondary cells or secondary batteries, which will thus have to berecharged, which can be effected in various known ways.

The batteries involved can also be of the kind, which, depending on theconstructive configuration of the housing 1, can be categorised asreplaceable or as built-in. In the first case these can be batteries orcells which cannot be recharged, but which can be replaced directly bythe user, e.g. via a commonly-known battery cover or battery flap, orthey can be rechargeable batteries which can be removed by the user forcharging in a battery charger. In the latter case, i.e. with built-inbatteries, these can be of the type which are not rechargeable, andwhich cannot be replaced directly by the normal user, but which must bereplaced e.g. during a service inspection, whereby it is ensured thatthe communication unit receives regular service. Alternatively, thebattery can be of a rechargeable type, which is recharged e.g. by meansof a plug connection or by means of electromagnetic energy transfer.

Finally, while making use of different types of materials, the battery15 can be configured for the electrically active components. Forexample, use can be made of NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, Li-ionbatteries or Li-polymer batteries. The selection can be made especiallywith regard to energy content per volume, in that it is important out ofregard for the confined conditions inside the housing 1 to make use of abattery, which with a given energy content has a minimum size.Similarly, it can be expedient to use batteries such as e.g. Li-polymerbatteries which are flexible in form, and which can be adapted to agiven shape, so that the choice is not restricted to conventionalbattery shapes, whereby the placing in the housing 1 can be effectedmore easily and expediently while retaining a desired small volume.

While battery charging is considered safe, as an extra measure ofsafety, the circuitry may be configured to prevent battery operationwhen the battery charger is inserted into the charging port 190 (FIG.11). This interlock on the charging port can be achieved by detectingthe present of current from into the receptacle.

Along the edge in the inner shell 12 a depression or recess 16 isprovided, which in shape corresponds to the ear hook 6, and between thetwo hinge pins 3 and 4 there is a depression 17, which corresponds tothe shape of the hinge part 5 on the microphone arm 2.

As shown, the microphone arm 2 has a shell part 18, which is mountedagainst the inner side 20 of the arm, in which inner side the twoapertures 7 open out. The shell part 18 serves to form a compartment inwhich a transducer 19 such as a microphone or a sound tube can beaccommodated. Moreover, in the cavity in an embodiment of the inventionan antenna can be provided, which can be configured as metal or otherelectrically suitable coatings (not shown) on the inner side 20 of themicrophone arm. The electrical connection from the antenna to theelectrical circuits in the housing 1 can be effected via the hinge parts3, 4 and 5. Electrical conductive coatings can thus be provided on theaxial end surfaces 21 and/or 22 of the hinge part 5, and on thecorresponding surfaces on the hinge pins 3 and 4, so that the necessaryelectrical connection is achieved when the hinge is assembled. Finally,there will be electrical connections from the microphone 19 to thehousing 1, which can be achieved by means of flexible conductors whichare led via the hinge, e.g. via the annular recesses shown on the hingepart 5, or by means of other forms of connections, for example spring orslide contacts between the housing 1 and the microphone arm 2.

Because of the relatively short length of the microphone arm, themicrophone unit 19 placed in the microphone arm 2 can expediently beconfigured as a unit with a high degree of directivity, for example sothat audio and speech signals from the mouth of the user are interceptedby the microphone, whereas sounds which come in from other directionsare not registered or are intercepted only to a lesser degree.

An alternative construction an attachment of the boom/mic arm 2 is shownin figures

The ear hook 6 is further configured with a securing part 23 which, forexample, consists of a pin or the like which can enter into engagementwith a corresponding socket part in the upper hinge pin 4, so that theear hook 6 can be turned through an angle. The ear hook 6 can in thesame way be secured to the lower hinge pin 3 by means of the securingpart 23, and in this position the ear hook can also be accommodated inthe recess or the depression 16. The communication unit shown can thusbe used for both the left and the right ear of the user, in thatdepending on the use for either the left or the right ear, the ear hook6 can be placed respectively on the upper 4 or the lower 3 hinge partshown in FIG. 2. As will be seen, the microphone arm 2 and the remainingexternal parts of the communication unit are configured in asubstantially symmetric manner around a centre plane, so that thecommunication unit can be used for placing both on the left or the rightear, solely by changing the ear hook 6 from the upper mounting to thelower mounting or vice versa.

The construction of the earhook and its connection to the body is shownin an alternate form in FIGS. 7–10, where the earhook 6 includes aconnecting element 6 a and a bridge element 6 b.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an indicator window 25 allows lightpassage of a diode 28 which provides display functions as explainedelsewhere herein. On the same side of the boom is an air vent 7 whichimproves the acoustical performance of the system.

On the inner side of the boom 2 is an aperture 29 which receives amicrophone boot 25, which is discussed in later figures.

One complication with changing earhook 6 from right and left sides isthat control buttons 108, 110 and 112, (FIG. 11) which are used forvarious electronic functions (such as volume, Bluetooth linking, etc,)will necessarily be upside down of their positions when the earhook isreversed to the other side. To avoid confusing the operator, and keepingconsistency in the arrangement of buttons, the system has means todetect which ear the user is wearing the device. This is done indirectlyby detecting the position of the earhook, rightside up or upside down. Aswitch 114 (FIG. 24) is situation on the housing 1 adjacent the hingepins 124 (FIG. 16 and 25). Notice that securing parts 23 which mate withpins 124 but do not occlude the switch 114 (FIG. 16). However, theconfiguration of extension 128 (FIG. 17) of will occlude the switch whenit is in the correct orientation. Alternatively, one of securingportions 23 can be made slightly larger than the other to insure thatthe switch 114 will always be actuated when the larger securing portions23 overlies the switch, thereby translating to the left or right ear ofthe user. Thus, mere switch of the earhook will send a signal to theunit to reverse the orientation of the button 108–112 and could alsocontrol other functions (like increased volume for a user with unequalhearing in one ear, etc).

It will be appreciated that the other mechanical or electronic means canbe used to achieve this result. A proximity detection system, a gravitydetection system or any other means for knowing the orientation of thebody 1 will tell the system which ear is being used.

To insure that the earhook 6 collapses against the body 1 and remainsthere when not in use, the earhook includes a deeper recess 146 (FIG.16) and a shallower recess 144 in at least one securing part 23. On thebody, is a mating set of deeper pins 148 (FIG. 25) and shallower land150. The recesses 144 and 150 are designed to mate when the earhook isin its stowed/collapsed position, such as in FIG. 12. Recesses 144 andlands 150 have sloping walls so that, when bias pressure is applied tothe securing parts 23, the natural tendency is to rotate the earhooktoward its stowed position. This bias force is achieved by the inherenttension in the materials in the earhook and the fact that the securingportions are spaced such that they are in a relaxed state only when thelands and recesses 144, 150, are fully mated. Or alternatively stated,the bias force is greatest when the lands and recesses are not fullymated because this causes a spreading of the spacing between thesecuring parts 23 and the material naturally resists this extension.

Boom 2 is similarly constructed to be maintained in a closed position ,but also in a fully open position. This construction can be fullyunderstood from FIGS. 13, 18–21, and 27.

FIG. 13 illustrates the hinges 124 which are fitted on the outside withpins 148 and sloping lands 150 described above. In the recess ofaperature 200 (FIG. 13) is a pair of sloping lands and a depressionwhich are the reverse image of lands 148 and pin 150. They are designedto mate with components on the boom as indicated below. An outline ofthe cross section of the hinges 124 is shown over the

FIGS. 18 and particularly FIG. 27 shows, in close up, the innerstructure of boom 2. In FIG. 18 there can be seen hinges 202 which haveapertures for receiving stems 204, each having a projection 206 (seeFIG. 27) to mate with a keyway 208 in the apertures. Thekeyway/projection system prevents rotation of the stems 204, which isimportant with respect to is operation. On the outward ends 210 of thestems, a recess 212 and v-shaped sloping opposed walls 214 can be seenconverging at a center point . The v-shape and depress is size togenerally mate with a like structure at the end of the opening 200 onthe hinges 124 (FIG. 13).

Stems 204 are maintained in their outwardly biased position by springforce generated, in this case, by spring 220. Spring 220 is maintainedin position on the inside of the boom by a series of posts 222 and haveterminal ends. recesses 224 are provided in the inward ends of the stemsand it can be seen how the bias force is applied.

In operation, the boom is maintained in its stowed position (FIG. 10) bythe bias force tending to mate the lands. However, 180 degreestherefrom, in the open position (FIG. 9) the boom is likewise maintainedbecause the lands mate with their counter part v-shaped walls 214 attheir flattest point and thus the boom is maintained open by friction,but will collapse to the stowed position with slight urging.

The inner construction of the boom 2 can also been seen from FIGS.19–21.

On the outer side of the boom, a vent hole 160 situated to providepressure relief for the acoustical pressure created when speaking in tothe microphone 242 (FIG. 21) on the other side. On the same outward sideof the boom is an illuminated display 161, preferably an led arraycapable of displaying multiple functions by flashing at different rates,or changing color or both.

On the inside surface of the boom 2 is a microphone inlet 244, which mayalso be provided with an illuminated ring or display. The microphone isspaced from the boom by a boot 246.

One means for providing electrical coupling from the microphone 242 anddisplay 161 is by the use of a flexible circuit element or flea element248. The element is configured to pass around and thru hinge 5 (FIG. 1and 25) in a manner shown also in FIG. 27. The flexibility of theelement 248 does in impede the opening of the boom, yet provides areliable, low resistance circuit path.

Finally, it is shown in FIG. 2 that in the depression 17 for theaccommodation of the hinge part 5, an activating part 24 for a switch orcontact can be placed, so that the position of the microphone arm 2 canbe sensed, which will be explained later.

In FIGS. 3, 4 ,5 and 6, the communication unit shown in FIG. 2 is shownin the assembled state and from various angles. As will be seen, thehousing in this configuration is slightly oval when seen from the side,but it is obvious that other suitable configurations can be chosen, suchas circular, egg-shaped, partly linear or compositions of these shapes.The essential factor in this connection is that the shape is such thatthe communication unit is easily stored, and such that the microphonearm 2 and the ear hook 6 can lie closely up against the housing.

As will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the communication unit is relativelyflat, and the compact configuration without projecting parts is retainedwhen the ear hook 6 is turned into the recess 16, and when themicrophone arm 2 is folded in against the side surface 1 a of thehousing 1. Due to its shape and its short length, in this position themicrophone arm will lie closely up against the housing, so that thecommunication unit will have the shape of a capsule or the like whichoccupies only very little space, and which can easily be stored ortransported in a bag, a pocket or the like.

In association with the microphone arm 2, resilient or similarmechanisms (not shown) can be established which can secure themicrophone arm 2 in the fully folded-in and/or fully folded-outposition, so that the microphone arm will normally remain in this orthese positions during normal conditions of use.

The communication unit can be configured as an ordinary earset providedwith an electrical connection, but can in particular be configured as awireless unit which contains the necessary circuits and components, suchas an antenna as mentioned, for the necessary communication with a basestation, a telephone network, a mobile telephone, a PC or similarequipment, with which speech and sound are exchanged. By thiscommunication, use can be made, for example, of known short-distanceforms of communication, such as e.g. the so-called “Bluetooth”technology.

For use in a wireless manner, it is important to limit the currentconsumption, so that the built-in battery 15 can supply thecommunication unit with current for an adequate length of time betweenbattery replacements or recharging. For this purpose, the activationpart 24 discussed in connection with FIG. 2 can serve instead of or inaddition to an ordinarily used switch (not shown) which can be placed onthe housing 1, and which must be operated manually. The activation part24 can thus serve to cause a disconnection of the current supply whenthe microphone arm 2 is folded in against the housing 1, and converselyto connect the current supply when the microphone arm is folded out whenthe communication unit is taken into use. It is hereby prevented that acommonly known switch, which can be placed e.g. on the housing, can beactivated accidentally e.g. when the unit is placed in a pocket, wherebycurrent will be consumed. Because of the length of the microphone armand the way in which the arm is folded out, with the arrangementdescribed an accidental connection can arise only when there issufficient room in the relevant storage place for the microphone arm 2to fold out.

An alternative structure for saving power is shown in FIGS. 25–26.Situated in depression 17 (or elsewhere in contact with the boom 2, is aswitch 102, which is shown as a pin and connected to the power circuitryas would be known to a person skilled in the art. The boom's 2 curvedend 106 which attaches to the housing 1, has a detent portion 104 whichcan be a portion of smaller radius than the remaining portion of thecurved end or a slot, hole or similar. It is only necessary that it bepositioned such that the switch be activated when the boom is opened andonly then. The switch 102 shown is activated when it's plunger isallowed to extend outwardly from the body 1 but this situation could bereversed so that it is actuated in the opposite manner, in which casethe detent is the major portion of the curvature and what is shown as adetent 102 now, would have the full radius of the curved portion 106.

FIG. 26 shows an alternate construction where detent portion 104 isreplaced with a slot or depression 105. This construction has a curvedend 107 of even radius throughout.

It will be appreciated that many other means can be employed to detectthe in-use status of the boom such as proximity detection of thelocation of the boom relative to the body.

Another use of this detection system is to power up the communicationslink with another Bluetooth device, most often a cellular phone handset.Software is provided to detect this “on” condition and wake up the cellphone and establish a link under the Bluetooth or other linking signal.

Furthermore, via this detection system, it is possible for the headsetto inform another Bluetooth device, like a cell phone to go “off hook”and redirect voice signals thru the headset instead of the mic/speakerof the cell phone. Thus the user can merely open the boom 2 to answer acall without touching the cellphone at all.

In order to prevent an unintentional activation also in such a case, theunit can further be provided with a locking arrangement (not shown)which secures the microphone arm in the folded-in condition, e.g.against a spring effect. It is not until this locking arrangement isreleased, for example by means of a release button (not shown) that themicrophone arm can be folded out to the position of use, possibly underthe influence of a spring force. A connection of the current supply canhereby also be effected by means of the activation part 24.Alternatively, a connection of the current can be effected if at thesame time the release button serves as a switch or serves to activate aswitch, so that the connection of the current takes place at the sametime as the releasing of the microphone arm. The microphone arm can alsobe provided with a spring device, which seeks to retain the microphonearm in one of two stable positions, i.e. in the fully folded-in and thefully folded-out condition. Consequently, when the microphone arm is tobe folded-out or folded-in, the user must first move it against asuitable spring force which possibly increases until an unstableposition is reached, from which during the further movement themicrophone arm will be moved completely or partly by a spring force,which will bring the microphone arm to the second of the stableconditions, and vice versa. Also with this embodiment, which can beeffected by means of commonly known arrangements, the microphone armwill thus be locked or secured against unintentional movement of the armaway from the inactivated condition.

It will be obvious that the extent of the forces which have to beovercome in the folding-out and/or -in of the microphone arm 2 must beselected while taking into account the finger strength of the normaluser, so that the operation can be effected without difficulty, but atthe same time so that an unintentional folding-out or -in will not takeplace during normal conditions of use.

To avoid losing the headset when it is off the users ear is a system forattaching a lanyard (neck loop) not show. The body 1 includes at leaston connecting point 180, 182 (FIG. 23 and FIG. 11) in plate 184. Plate184 is located on the back side of the housing 1 (FIG. 11) but itslocation can vary. The connecting points 180–182 have generally circularopenings but have at least one keyway which will mate with the teeth 190of Pin 186 (FIG. 22). Pin 186 includes an aperture 192 for a neckstrap(not shown) a stem 188 and at least one tooth 190. The pin is thusinserted into the connecting point with keyway alligned and then the pinis turn to prevent withdrawal. By sizing the openings 180–182 justsmaller than the stem 188, accidental rotational movement of the pin isprevented and the lanyard will not fall out. Alternative means forsecuring a lanyard are possible with the ease of removal (quick release)being of greatest importance.

It will be obvious to those familiar with the art that embodiments otherthan those shown and described can be considered, and that theseembodiments will lie within the scope of the subsequent claims.

It will thus be obvious that the communication unit can be used forother than wireless purposes, where a cable link to the unit must thusbe established. Moreover, it is obvious that use can be made of meansother than an ear hook for the fastening of the communication unit tothe head of a user, in that e.g. an ear ring or a headband can be used,merely providing that these parts can be folded in against the housingwhen the unit is not in use.

Finally, it is obvious that the parts, which constitute thecommunication unit, can be conFigure d from materials suitable for thepurpose, such as synthetic and plastic materials, and that certain partscan be made of suitable metals.

1. A wearable headset communication unit comprising a housing , amicrophone arm pivotally connected to the housing by a hinge link , andsuch that the microphone arm can be moved between a first position inwhich the inner surface lies up against the housing, and a secondposition in which it extends away from the housing, said arm having anouter surface and an inner surface which lies against said housing whenin said first position, and wherein said outer surface includes a visualindicator for indicating an in-use condition of the headset.
 2. Awearable headset communication unit comprising a housing, a microphonearm pivotally connected to the housing by a hinge link, and such thatthe microphone arm can be moved between a first position in which itlies up against the housing, and a second position in which it extendsaway from the housing, said arm having an outer surface and an innersurface which lies against said housing when in said first position, andwherein said inner surface includes a an aperture for an audio receiverand visual indicator for indicating an in-use condition of the headset,surrounding said audio aperture.
 3. A compact headset communication unitsupported by suspension form an ear comprising: a housing having a firstsurface having at least one transducer thereon, a microphone armsuspended from said housing said microphone arm having an inner surfacescapable of contacting said first surface and an outer surface, andhaving longitudinal dimension, wherein the microphone arm is pivotallyconnected to the housing by a hinge link on said housing having itspivoting axis generally parallel to the longitudinal dimension andwherein said arm pivots generally orthogonally with respect to saidfirst surface, and such that the microphone am being moveable between afirst folded position in which its inner surface lies up against thefirst surface, and a second open position in which it unfolds extendingaway from the housing, and wherein said outer surface includes a visualindicator for indicating an in-use condition of the headset.